Hunter Ed (firearms) requirements?

[lungdeflator]

I havn't paid any attention to who does and who does not need hunter ed now? If you are over 18 and have not taken the training, can you buy rifle licenses?

[caseymcq]

I believe now if a person was born after December 31, 1979 they need to have firearms safety training in order to purchase a license with the exception of being able to buy an Apprentice Hunter Validation for one season, once in a lifetime.

[fishinjosh98]

no u cant

[psepuncher]

yes you can.

You'll need an hunters apprentice permit/validation and firearm hunting licese.

As long as you're [12 or older] hunting with an adult who meets the hunters education requirements of MN.

So if your buddy is 18 or older and has a hunters ed card,

or is past the age restriction of having to be certified, you're good.

[bikeoutback]

Or do everyone a favor and just take the hunters safety education course. I know it's all common sense and I'm not meaning to insult anyone but I know many a seasoned veteran hunters who still do stupid stuff while hunting. I took the course 3 years ago at the age of 27. Yep myself, about 40 12 years olds and another 5 or 6 adults all taking it, no big deal. I knew 99% of the stuff taught already but since I was born after 12/31/1979 was required to take it. The other guys in the course were simply either taking it with their kid or a couple were going big game hunting in other states and it seems it's becoming the norm in many states to require a hunters education course for all non-resident hunters to obtain a license so this way you also have that out of the way if ever want to go elsewhere and hunt.

You can find courses online and if you are over 18 you have the independent study option also in which you study yourself and arrange it with one of the classes to simply show up on test day and field test day. Pass them both and your done. I did my course in person as it was easier I thought to just attend, but it was just a 1 week course couple hours each night, field day on saturday and done.

[Fins-n-feathers]

Or do everyone a favor and just take the hunters safety education course. I know it's all common sense and I'm not meaning to insult anyone but I know many a seasoned veteran hunters who still do stupid stuff while hunting.

+1 I agree it happens too often. Way back in the day when I took my Hunters Ed one of my instructers told a story of a guy sitting in a treestand getting shot by another hunter. When interveiwed later he said "I thought it was a deer."

[TNFL]

Quote:

Way back in the day when I took my Hunters Ed one of my instructers told a story of a guy sitting in a treestand getting shot by another hunter. When interveiwed later he said "I thought it was a deer."

Do they teach you how to tell the difference between a deer and a human dressed in orange in hunter's education? LOL

Also, don't use your scope to look at your buddies in their stands, use your binoculars.

Seriously... Go to the DNR web site, its pretty self explanatory.

I missed the 1979 cut off by less than a month.

You can hunt with the apprentice license for 1 year only and then you are required to get educated. The online course is fairly easy. It takes some time but way less time than going to classes for #'s of weeks. Then look on the DNR list for certified instructor in your area and contact them to set up a time at their convenience for your field test.

Most instructors are gun enthusiasts and are happy to teach and educate. However I would suggest not waiting until right before prime hunting times to request their services.

[Born2Fish]

Luckily I was born before that date, but I still took the course when I was 12. My drivers license even has my firearm certificate as my endorsement(which I am sure most everyone with it has on their license also). I think that if your 12 or 40 it would never hurt to take the course just to have taken it. Like was said, lots of states require it now anyway to be able to hunt there(if you plan to hunt anywhere else other than Minnesota). I had applied for a tag in Nevada for their mule deer hunt and luckily I had taken the course here. They called the state of Minnesota for me and got my number through them.

[The_Duckslayer]

Or do everyone a favor and just take the hunters safety education course. I know it's all common sense and I'm not meaning to insult anyone but I know many a seasoned veteran hunters who still do stupid stuff while hunting. I took the course 3 years ago at the age of 27...

I concur! Take the course! I took it for the first time way way back in the 60's. Did a lot of "weapons" and "survival" training in the Air Force. In the last 15 years I have taken the course an additional 4 times as I went with each of the kids and neighbor kid whose dad was not a hunter. Every time I went I learned something!!! Every time I went I shared a story from the past and some one had a light come on and understood the meaning of safety in a different way. NO ONE is ever to smart or to old to learn something, and if that something just happens to save your life or a buddy of yours life then it will be time very well spent. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[lungdeflator]

ok thanks guys. I thought there was a cut off date but for the life of me couldnt find it on the DNR HSOforum the other day. I was looking for a friend who doesnt have good internet access all the time. I strongly suggested the class but dont know if any of the dates will work out for this year

[magnum mike]

As a FAS instructor, I always welcome the parents or any adults to sit in on the classes. I have had many moms that didn't want to take the class for themselves but after the first break, they signed up. Everyone was glad they did. If you have firearms in the house, everyone in the house should take the course.